Behind the Mic on a Friday Night
Tonight, like many winter nights in Northern Indiana, I’ll be behind a microphone—responsible for giving voice to a sporting event.
This time it’s a conference wrestling meet. Grapplers staking their claim to titles and records as the regular season winds down and the state tournament approaches. It’s intense, gritty, and quietly meaningful in the way that only high school sports can be.
As I’ve reflected on the themes that have surfaced this week—faithfulness, presence, stewarding what’s right in front of us—I can’t help but think about one of my favorite avocations: public address announcing.
It’s something I genuinely love. And while I probably give it more energy than some might think it needs, it gives a lot back to me.
My announcing “career” fell into my lap my sophomore year of high school. I was at a girls basketball game supporting friends when the coach—Coach Lyle Gaff, who knew me from PE… excuse me, Wellness Class at Concord South Side Elementary—called out from across the gym.
“Hey, Cola!”
That’s what he called me because my name sounds like Coca-Cola. You get it.
“Yeah, Coach?” I answered.
“You want to announce the game tonight?”
That was it.
The girls were playing Penn High School—which meant a roster full of names that didn’t always sound the way they were spelled. I announced girls basketball the rest of my high school career, picked up lacrosse that same year, and never really stopped.
What that moment produced in me was a love for creating environments—bringing excitement, pageantry, and a level of excellence to events that matter to students, families, and communities.
Since that night, I’ve had the opportunity to announce hundreds of high school basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, track and field, and wrestling events. I’ve been the voice of NAIA women’s college basketball, volleyball, baseball, and softball. I’ve also had the chance to announce for a minor league professional baseball team, a handful of other college events, and even the state finals for softball.
And every time I step behind the mic, I’m reminded of something simple:
Sometimes the things that bring the little bits of joy in life aren’t the things we planned for—they’re the things that quietly find us and invite us to be present.
So heading into this weekend, I’m grateful—for a mic, a mat, and another chance to steward something I enjoy.
And maybe that’s a good Friday question for all of us:
What’s one small thing this week—maybe something you weren’t expecting—that brought you joy and reminded you to slow down and enjoy where you are?
Here’s to a good weekend.
